Vol. 5 No. 2, February 2008
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Stake Your Claim in Atlantic City
Why everyone must work harder and smarter in 2008
The Casino Association of New Jersey and the 60,000 men and women employed directly or indirectly by our industry have something in common with most Americans: we usher in the New Year with resolutions.
In recent years, government-related issues—from the crisis in local leadership to intergovernmental turf battles—have threatened the economic health and growth of New Jersey. Overcoming these challenges requires energy and resources that are better spent addressing our opportunities, not battling bureaucracies.
Starting in 2008, CANJ urges all stakeholders—from the private sector to the city, state and county governments and their various authorities and agencies—to work in a collaborative manner so New Jersey can respond head-on to growing competition from other jurisdictions.
Stability and a collective pledge to cooperate must be the overriding theme for 2008. They would offer the private sector (both gaming and non-gaming) a more compelling reason to invest in the continued development of Atlantic City. Tourists would then have additional reasons to choose Atlantic City as their destination. The formula benefits everyone.
First, let’s identify tomorrow’s challenges and develop responses in advance. The process has already begun with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Under the leadership of Executive Director Tom Carver, CRDA is building a regional transportation master plan to address future growth by assessing our transportation infrastructure, internal traffic circulation and mass transit.
The plan will weigh the travel needs of a growing number of customers and employees. Since our visitors come from throughout New Jersey and from other states, this effort will require cooperation from multiple state, county and city agencies. The spirit of cooperation must be contagious.
Governor Jon Corzine has espoused intergovernmental partnerships, and appointed Gary Rose and Diane Legriede to coordinate the city’s government agencies. The governor recognizes that what happens in Atlantic City benefits the entire state. He also realizes the state cannot address multiple fiscal issues without revenues from New Jersey’s gaming industries and tourism, much of which comes from out-of-state residents who visit Atlantic City.
But for the governor and state legislators to reinvest in Atlantic City, a relationship of confidence and trust must be established. Likewise the state must inspire confidence in local governments by demonstrating an understanding of their concerns and the concerns of their citizens. Again, this process has started, most notably in connection with Bader Field. It must continue.
Other significant intergovernmental cooperation and public/private endeavors should also be given priority, including:
• increasing the marketing budget for the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority in an effort to promote the casinos and the region;
• continued support of CRDA and all the government agencies involved in efforts to improve the transportation infrastructure to make it easier to access the city by car, air and rail;
• development of low- and mid-income housing where up to 20,000 new casino employees can live;
• working with the bedroom communities of Atlantic City to address issues that this new growth will bring; and
• streamlining the review and approval process for casino and non-gaming construction projects among the various governmental agencies.
The casino industry has a critical role to play in this process. It cannot merely rely on the government. After all, our businesses and employees have a significant interest in ensuring the success of the region.
In the past, our industry has succeeded in spite of many obstacles and challenges. New competition last year and the resulting economic downturn have presented evidence that now, more than ever, we need single-mindedness and solidarity. We need to join together, work smarter, and work harder to realize the common goal—Atlantic City as the mecca of East Coast gaming. Let's all make the same resolution. And this year, let's keep it.
